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I really don't think you have to worry about it. Like, even if the baby was coming at a point in time where there wasn't a holiday, you'd still probably have family and visitors and different caretakers while you're giving birth, etc. And if this was a holiday WITHOUT a baby, there would still be family and school closures and what not. Like, I don't think it being Christmas will really be a big deal.

I would just try to keep her sleep/naps as consistent as possible so she gets enough rest and time to decompress from the stimulation, and that at least one parent is always close by to offer a lot of reassuring love and touch.

We are always traveling for the holidays in different time zones with new people and surroundings and as long as we stay nearby and keep the nap/bedtime routine solid, our kids are always good to go. When DS2 was born (DS1 was 20 months), same thing - grandparents and family members were in an out for weeks and things were all off, but we just kept his nap and bedtime routine consistent so he could rest.

Congratulations and enjoy the holidays with your sweet family!

Get your visitors to pay attention to your older child if possible! Grandma time with our older one helped a lot when we had #2. And remember it's temporary and normal. My two year old has suddenly decided to resist naps for the first time since I don't remember when. And now he can get out of the crib. So that's fun.

The only thing I'm worried about with the holiday is that my kids will be so bummed if we miss Xmas bc we are in the hospital.

I had my second a week before Christmas, got home from hospital on a Monday and MIl arrived on Tuesday. In some ways it was really great because the older one got so much extra attention and activity. People were mindful to really pay attention to her and not just fawn over the new baby. They took her out to do fun things every day.

However- my warning is to watch out that you don’t miss out on the nice bonding as a family of four. Everyone was so focused on helping by taking the toddler out that it ended up being me home alone with the new baby all morning and then everyone crowded around all afternoon, with no quiet new family foursome time. In my postpartum haze I really resented missing out on that. She turns two in a week and I’m still kind of sad about it.

@Littlebit7: I think @eko: is the admin still.. join us!

@PawPrints: yep! I'll try walling @eko

I had my 2nd 12/20 so right around Christmas too. Didn't really matter in the grand scheme of things.